FSLR Stock: Testing Resistance

Very few bullish things can be said about First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) stock, because this investment has not fared well over the years. 2017 thus far has been notable because FSLR stock is actually up on the year, to the tune of 18.23%. For an investment that is known to create losses, this is a very good start.
Is this a prelude of things to come? In order to answer this question successfully, I need to resort to the method I employ to generate views on a potential investment. This requires taking a look at a number of indications on the First Solar stock chart.
For anyone not familiar with my style of investment research, it's worthy to point out that I employ technical analysis in order to generate a view on a potential investment. This method of analysis is based on the notion that historical price and volume data, which is available on stock charts, can provide relevant information that can be used to project the future direction in which an investment is heading.
In order for me to suggest that First Solar stock will continue its advance, the stock first needs to break above key levels of price resistance. The following price chart illustrates a level of price resistance that is fast approaching.
Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com
FSLR stock is currently testing a very important level of price resistance, at $40.00. Prior to being a level of price resistance, this level acted as a significant level of price support.
Throughout 2015, the price point at $40.00 served to support First Solar shares and, every time this level was tested, a significantly large bounce ensued. The first time the level was tested from above, a strong rally pushed this investment higher to the tune of 67.25%.
Later in the year, when FSLR shares were plagued with weakness once gain, which caused the share price to trade back to that significant level of price support at $40.00, another rally ensued off that level to the tune of 84.57%. Buyers were eager to step in and support this level, and the rallies that followed were fruitful.
This all changed in August 2016, when the significant level of price support was tested for the third time. On this occasion, the buyers who were so eager to snap up First Solar shares the previous two times were nowhere to be seen. This lack of buying pressure caused FSLR stock to slice right through the price support level. There was a valiant effort to trade back above this level, but this effort was quickly quashed. As the rules set out by technical analysis explain, once a level of price support is broken, it become a new significant level of price resistance.
After failing to trade back above this level in October 2016, a sell-off quickly ensued. It was not until April 2017, after FSLR shares hit $25.56, that this investment was finally able to find its footing.
A substantial rally has taken shares back up to test this important level of price resistance. This level is very important because, in order for this investment to stand a bull's fighting chance at higher prices, First Solar stock needs to close above this significant and important level of price resistance.
Breaking above this level of resistance would be a real feat of strength that would suggest that higher prices are likely, but succumbing to this hurdle would still be in the context of a larger bearish trend.
The following First Solar stock chart illustrates the predominant bearish trend that is currently governing FSLR stock.
Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com
This price chart illustrates the bearish trend that soon began after the share price peaked in 2008, at an incredible high of $317.00. This bearish trend contains the quintessential requirement that defines a bearish trend, which is lower lows and lower highs. This bearish trend is effectively captured by using a simple downtrend line that is created by connecting the peaks on the price chart.
This downtrend line is the dividing line that separates this investment from a true bull market and, as long as the stock price continues to trade below that line, the bears have the upper hand. This level of resistance stands near $60.00 so, if the horizontal level of resistance at $40.00 is broken to the upside, this downtrend line becomes the next logical price objective for FSLR stock.

Bottom Line on First Solar

First Solar stock is having a banner year, and this is a bullish change for this investment. Even though positive progress is being made, there are still numerous and significant levels of price resistance that need to be broken before I can truly hold a bullish view on FSLR stock.

First Solar Stock Needs to Clear These Hurdles

By Patrick Brik CFA, BAS Published : May 29, 2017

FSLR Stock: Testing Resistance

Very few bullish things can be said about First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) stock, because this investment has not fared well over the years. 2017 thus far has been notable because FSLR stock is actually up on the year, to the tune of 18.23%. For an investment that is known to create losses, this is a very good start.

Is this a prelude of things to come? In order to answer this question successfully, I need to resort to the method I employ to generate views on a potential investment. This requires taking a look at a number of indications on the First Solar stock chart.

For anyone not familiar with my style of investment research, it’s worthy to point out that I employ technical analysis in order to generate a view on a potential investment. This method of analysis is based on the notion that historical price and volume data, which is available on stock charts, can provide relevant information that can be used to project the future direction in which an investment is heading.

In order for me to suggest that First Solar stock will continue its advance, the stock first needs to break above key levels of price resistance. The following price chart illustrates a level of price resistance that is fast approaching.

FSLR stock is currently testing a very important level of price resistance, at $40.00. Prior to being a level of price resistance, this level acted as a significant level of price support.

Throughout 2015, the price point at $40.00 served to support First Solar shares and, every time this level was tested, a significantly large bounce ensued. The first time the level was tested from above, a strong rally pushed this investment higher to the tune of 67.25%.

Later in the year, when FSLR shares were plagued with weakness once gain, which caused the share price to trade back to that significant level of price support at $40.00, another rally ensued off that level to the tune of 84.57%. Buyers were eager to step in and support this level, and the rallies that followed were fruitful.

This all changed in August 2016, when the significant level of price support was tested for the third time. On this occasion, the buyers who were so eager to snap up First Solar shares the previous two times were nowhere to be seen. This lack of buying pressure caused FSLR stock to slice right through the price support level. There was a valiant effort to trade back above this level, but this effort was quickly quashed. As the rules set out by technical analysis explain, once a level of price support is broken, it become a new significant level of price resistance.

After failing to trade back above this level in October 2016, a sell-off quickly ensued. It was not until April 2017, after FSLR shares hit $25.56, that this investment was finally able to find its footing.

A substantial rally has taken shares back up to test this important level of price resistance. This level is very important because, in order for this investment to stand a bull’s fighting chance at higher prices, First Solar stock needs to close above this significant and important level of price resistance.

Breaking above this level of resistance would be a real feat of strength that would suggest that higher prices are likely, but succumbing to this hurdle would still be in the context of a larger bearish trend.

The following First Solar stock chart illustrates the predominant bearish trend that is currently governing FSLR stock.

This price chart illustrates the bearish trend that soon began after the share price peaked in 2008, at an incredible high of $317.00. This bearish trend contains the quintessential requirement that defines a bearish trend, which is lower lows and lower highs. This bearish trend is effectively captured by using a simple downtrend line that is created by connecting the peaks on the price chart.

This downtrend line is the dividing line that separates this investment from a true bull market and, as long as the stock price continues to trade below that line, the bears have the upper hand. This level of resistance stands near $60.00 so, if the horizontal level of resistance at $40.00 is broken to the upside, this downtrend line becomes the next logical price objective for FSLR stock.

Bottom Line on First Solar

First Solar stock is having a banner year, and this is a bullish change for this investment. Even though positive progress is being made, there are still numerous and significant levels of price resistance that need to be broken before I can truly hold a bullish view on FSLR stock.

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